Posts by Liz Countess

“Smile and the world smiles with you.” We’ve all heard that before. And, it makes sense. When someone smiles at us, their smile prompts us to smile back. Smiling has a tendency to create happy feelings that are “real” feelings. This has been proven through scientific studies on the brain. Apparently, the act of smiling…

In the U.S., the number one cause of adult tooth loss is periodontal (gum) disease. According to the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), over 47 percent of American adults are living with some level of gum disease. For those who are 65 and older, this figure jumps to 70 percent. As devastating as…

The human body is designed to provide us with two sets of teeth during our lifetimes. We begin with a set of “baby teeth” (known as primary teeth) as we start to eat chewable foods and to aid in speech. As small bodies grow rapidly, a new “permanent” set of teeth emerges to replace the…

Advertising would have you think that a cola is a refreshing drink. And, we seem to buy it. It’s estimated that nearly half of all people in the U.S. drink soda every day and Americans consume 7.5 billion gallons each year. But, should you be drinking it? As a dentist, I want you to know the…

When an individual has teeth that become crowded, crooked, or tilted out of proper alignment, it is typically noticed in the mirror. We can easily look and see whether or not our teeth are straight – can’t we? Maybe not. Teeth can appear straight, yet be terribly misaligned. This is true for things like an…

We all know that when a cut is not kept clean it can become infected because bacteria has amassed – right? Then, it should also be clear that an overload of bacteria in your mouth could lead to problems. But, the connection isn’t always obvious – until something becomes painful. When a tooth aches because…

Just about everyone is afraid of something. Some of us are terrified of snakes. Others are afraid of spiders. Some people are scared of dogs. Symptoms of fear are natural reactions to something that causes the brain to send a warning signal. For example, if a mean dog bit you when you were a child,…

Diabetes is a disease that interferes with how the body processes blood sugar, or glucose. Glucose is an important source of energy for cells in the muscles and tissues as well as the brain’s main source of fuel. It’s a necessary component of our body’s functioning sytsems. According to the Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371444), common symptoms of…

Your smile is not only designed to be an appealing reflection of your personality, it is structured to be highly functional. Teeth aide in biting, chewing, speech and helping to support jaw bone mass. The design of the tooth sections you can see and the root portion each have important roles, as does the gum…

Today, more than ever, Americans are more committed to their health. Eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise not only allows us to reap the benefits of good health, healthcare costs are greatly reduced through a lifestyle that helps us avoid diseases and health issues. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control &…